The Niners could be running back the same offensive line in 2025.
The San Francisco 49ers had an injury-riddled 2024 season, leading to a disappointing 6-11 campaign that fell well short of expectations.
Among the top of the injury list was left tackle Trent Williams, who was limited to 10 games, missing the final seven games of the year, where the 49ers went 1-6.
Entering his age-37 season, Williams has been open about his year-to-year decision-making process, raising questions as to how long the left tackle will continue playing.
However, those questions will be put to rest for another year, as general manager John Lynch reassured that Williams will suit up for the 49ers in 2025, sharing that the left tackle is motivated to return to elite form.
“Trent’s playing and he’s ready and I think he’s really motivated to come back,” Lynch said this week at the NFL Scouting Combine. “That’s rarified air that Trent lives in and when you’re a player that has experience playing at those heights, you don’t want to play unless you’re playing at those at that level. And I think that’s where Trent’s at. And I think we’re going to see a real motivated Trent Williams to come back and have a great year. And that’s a good thing for us.”
With Williams returning, the left tackle will be chasing a record-tying 12th Pro Bowl for an offensive tackle in 2025 after earning the achievement in 11 straight seasons that he played in.
Now, the star had been playing at a high level before his injuries in 2024, earning three straight first-team All-Pros from 2021-23. So, it’s fair to assume that if Williams is motivated and has his contract, the star left tackle will look to return to elite form in 2025.
Still, San Francisco has been dodging the question of finding Williams’s replacement, as they haven’t drafted a prospect that has stuck at tackle since taking Colton McKivitz in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
They’re in a prime position to draft that replacement with the No. 11 pick in this year’s draft, but several of the top tackle prospects in this class have been pegged to be guards at the next level.
With Williams getting older and older, and Colton McKivitz entering the final year of his contract, the 49ers will need to find a solution for the future at tackle sooner than later.
That resonates with Lynch’s desire to get cheaper and younger this year, which he shared at the combine, as the 49ers are one of the oldest teams in the NFL.
Still, it’s good news that Williams is motivated and ready to go in 2025 after his injury woes in 2024, as the 49ers will need him to return to elite form to bolster their offensive line next season.